A new tyrosinase biosensor based on covalent immobilization of enzyme on N-(3-aminopropyl) pyrrole polymer film

A conducting polymer film of N-amino substituted pyrrole monomer has been prepared for covalent immobilization of enzyme for biosensing applications, illustrated by tyrosinase (PPO). The tyrosinase enzyme retains its bioactivity when being immobilized on N-substituted pyrrole polymer film by covalent bonding. The enzyme electrode was characterized by UV–Vis and infrared spectroscopy. Phenolic compounds were quantitatively estimated by the direct electrochemical reduction of enzymatically liberated quinone species at −0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The results of amperometric response measurements conducted on enzyme electrode show sensitivity of 57.6, 71.4 and 45.8 mA M−1 cm−2 and a linear response range of 1.8–170.2, 1.3–110.1 and 2.1–168 μM for phenol, catechol and p-cresol, respectively. The biosensor exhibits a lowest detection limit of 0.9, 0.7 and 1.1 μM, for phenol, catechol and p-cresol, respectively and a period of stable sensitivity of 3 months at 4–5 °C.